Drivers with autism encouraged to put extra info on license

By: Wes Rapaport

As the Aspergers101 “Driving with Autism” initiative sweeps Texas, we are thrilled to have been featured in a news report by Nexstar Broadcasting reporter Wes Rapaport.

AUSTIN (KXAN) — A new public service announcement was unveiled urging drivers with autism to consider applying for a note on their driver’s license that informs law enforcement about potential interaction challenges. The video message informs Texans about the “communication impediment” restriction code.

Samuel Allen, who is on the autism spectrum, said having the marker on his driver’s license feels “like a big safety net,” and makes him more comfortable when he gets in his car.

“If I showed [it] to the officer, they are going to know that I have autism or some kind of impediment that will keep me from communicating properly with the officer,” Allen explained.

An example of a “communication impediment” note, listed on the back of a sample driver license. (Jennifer Allen photo)

Legislation was passed in the last session that took effect in September, allowing brochures and posters highlighting the “communication impediment” code, in large part due to work done by Aspergers101, which Allen’s mother Jennifer founded.

“I’m just a mom of a son with autism that I want him to be protected, and it just happened to be there are open doors to make policy changes that make commonsense,” Jennifer Allen said. She added that she worried about her son being pulled over or having some other need to interact with an officer, and not having the tools necessary to successfully navigate those challenges.

“We can’t rely on other cards and things that they can reach and give to an officer of the law because that could be misconstrued as they’re reaching for a weapon, so if it’s directly on the driver’s license then that is indeed a safety net,” she stated.

“As families are finding out about this initiative they are taking a second look at driver independence for their family member who is on the autism spectrum,” GCPD executive director Ron Lucey explained. “Transportation independence for Texans with disabilities is critical in order for them to participate in the workforce or live independently in the community.”

Allen said he feels at ease driving to work and school, knowing that an officer would understand his perspective if he has an encounter.

“Having that feeling of independence is a big stepping stone for someone with autism or someone with a communication impediment,” Allen explained.

The Allens mentioned the initiative aims to expand to people who have other challenges, like deafness, Parkinson’s disease or a “bad stutter.” The program was endorsed by Dr. Temple Grandin, who is a professor and advocate for people on the autism spectrum, such as herself.

“It is really a good step forward, that the State of Texas has put communication impediment on the driver’s license,” Grandin said. “People who have autism, Asperger’s head injuries, strokes, stuttering, or down syndrome, can all have the problem of being slow to respond, and a police officer needs to realize that he needs to wait for this person to respond, and if he gets kind of aggressive, then the person has a tendency to freeze.”

Samuel Allen drives near the office where he got his driver license. Allen is on the autism spectrum and has a “communication impediment” restriction note on his license to notify officers if he is ever pulled over. (Nexstar Photo/Wes Rapaport)

Lucey said he was pleased the initiative is available to Texans who do not have driver’s licenses as well, like state ID card holders, because, “there’s lots of interactions between law enforcement and Texans with disabilities out on the street.”

The Allens have worked to train police departments as part of the program.

Jennifer Allen said she and her son have worked with DPS trooper recruits in Austin, San Antonio police officers and various other departments statewide, “for them to understand that communication impediment does not mean and aggressive behavior.”

She said she hoped to work with lawmakers in the next legislative session to include the “communication impediment” information in the system that officers use to run license plates, with the idea that they would know the driver might have a difficulty with communication before even being pulled over.

Jennifer Allen

After an extensive career broadcast marketing, Jennifer and her husband searched for answers when their oldest son hit the kinder years with great difficultly. After finally learning that their oldest son had Aspergers Syndrome, she left her career in television and became a full time mother to both of her sons. Jennifer elicited the participation of her sons and together they produced several independent programs including a children’s animated series titled Ameriquest Kids (now distributed by Landmark Media) as well as her documentary and book titled, Coping to Excelling: Solutions for school-age children diagnosed with High-Functioning Autism or Aspergers Syndrome.
The need for more information encouraged Jennifer to elicit a team of autism experts to provide weekly, original content to a website free to anyone seeking to live their best under the diagnosis of High-Functioning Autism/Aspergers Syndrome… appropriately titled: Aspergers101.com.

“Driving with Autism” Is Proudly Endorsed By:

Addtional Resources for Driving with Autism

While driving with the autism diagnosis is not for everyone, some may seek their independence by way of obtaining their driver license. You might be weighing this option for yourself or for your son or daughter, either way, you are probably seeking more information on the topic so in addition to our "Driving with Autism" section on Aspergers101, we offer the following resources.
Additional Resources:
DriveWise and Drive Advise - The goal of DriveWise at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center is to provide objective information about driving safety while providing support for individuals and their families.
Teen Driver Source - If your teen is ready to drive, download the TeenDrivingPlan Practice Guide, an interactive resource based on years of research, to help you effectively supervise your teen's driving practice, and a Goal Guide and Logging and Rating Tool to keep you on track.
The Challenge of Driving with Aspergers - Insightful article by By John O'Neil from the New York Times.
Driving : The National Autistic Society - Applying for a Drivers License in the UK
Teaching the Person with Autism How to Drive - This article written by a parent and speech pathologist whose young adult son has been taught to drive shares what steps are necessary for teaching the person with autism to drive.
My Aspergers Child: Asperger Teen and Driving a Car - Driving Tips and national statistics for you to consider.
Is Your Asperger Teen Ready to Drive? - Craig Kendall, the author of The Asperger’s Syndrome Survival Guide, discusses (in part 1 of 2) the driving challenges for teens with Aspergers.

Dr. Temple Grandin endorses “Driving with Autism” initiative

Dr. Temple Grandin endorses “Driving with Autism” initiative

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